How to Get Rid of Pitting & Scars on the Face

Sabrina AshleyUpdated February 21, 2017

Scars and pitting can be the result of skin injuries or wounds. Whether from surgical procedures, accidents or skin diseases, these scars form on the face and mar a person's complexion. Pitting occurs when there is not enough collagen in the area of the wound and results in depressed scars like pockmarks and ice-pick scars. Collagen, a protein found in the middle layer of the skin, is responsible for forming scar tissue. If your skin is pitted and scarred, you can try a few ways to remove or reduce their appearance

Try over-the-counter scar removal creams. There are many creams and lotions, made from a wide range of ingredients, that have been proven effective, but not all creams and lotions work with all types of scarring. It is best to look for a cream that is recommended for your particular scarring problems. Some scar creams are for discolourations of the skin while others are formulated for raised or hypertrophic scars. You may have to experiment with several to find products that work for removing your particular scars.

Have dermabrasion treatment. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, having a dermatologist or plastic surgeon perform dermabrasion is a good way of smoothing the skin and reducing the appearance of pitted scars. The doctor uses a rotating wire brush to sand the top layer of the skin. You may need a few treatments for best results.

Have a doctor perform a chemical peel to fade scars. During this procedure, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, solutions such as glycolic acid and lactic acid are applied to the skin to burn off the top layer. The skin is numbed before the acid is applied so the patient feels little pain. When the burnt skin heals, the replacement skin that grows underneath the damaged skin is less scarred and looks better. You will probably need a few chemical peels over the course of a few months.

Have a doctor perform laser resurfacing therapy. This is one of the most effective ways to treat scars, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. The doctor directs a beam of infrared light onto the scar. The laser vaporises the scar tissue but does not damage the surface of the skin. The heat of the laser increases skin cell growth so new skin appears on the face. This renewed skin is less pitted and scared. As with other medical procedures, a few treatments are usually necessary.